Papa, are You Ready?

Willie brought his little Bible

Author: Eben E. Rexford
Tune: [Willie brought his little Bible]
Published in 4 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, Noteworthy Composer
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1. Willie bro't his little Bible,
With a grave and thoughtful look
In the eyes he lifted to me
From the pages of the book;
"Tell me what this means, dear papa?"
And he read me from God's word
What it says of being ready
For the coming of the Lord.

Chorus:
Are you ready for His coming,
Be that coming soon or late;
Will you go and meet Him gladly
When He knocketh at the gate?
No! I cannot meet Him gladly,
I'm not ready now, I know,
And it may be that His footsteps
Even now are at the door.

2. When I told him of the meaning
Of the words that he had read,
He was silent for a moment,
Then looked up at me and said:
"Tell me, are you ready, papa?"
O the child could little know
How the simple question thrilled me
As in shame I answered: "No!" [Chorus]

3. "If you can't tell when He's coming,
I should think you'd want to be
Always ready," said my Willie,
Looking gravely up at me.
"Should He come tonight and call you,
You would have to say to Him:
"I'm not ready, O dear papa!"
And his eyes with tears were dim. [Chorus]

4. Then I clasped my darling closer,
Smitten with a sudden fear,
For the words that he had spoken
Seemed to bring life's end so near,
And my heart cried: "O my Master,
There shall be no more delay,
Make me ready for Thy coming,
Be that coming when it may!"

Chorus:
Are you ready for His coming,
Be that coming soon or late?
Will you go and meet Him gladly
When He knocketh at the gate?
Yes! I'm ready now to meet Him,
Be that coming soon or late;
I can run and meet Him gladly
When He knocketh at the gate!


Source: The Gospel Awakening: a collection of original and selected "hymns and spiritual songs" for the use in gospel meetings everywhere #5

Author: Eben E. Rexford

Rexford, Eben Eugene.M (Johnsburg, New York, July 16, 1848--October 16, 1916, Shiocton, Wisconsin). Horticulturalist and editor of a Wisconsin farm journal. Many of his verses were used to fill empty corners of the journal. He also wrote many books on gardening. Lawrence University (Appleton, Wisc.), Litt.D. Twenty-five years, organist at First Congregational Church, Shiocton. See: Smith, Mary L.P. (1930). Eben E. Rexford; a biographical sketch. Menasha, Wis., George Banta Pub. Co. --Leonard Ellinwood, DNAH Archives and Gabriel, Charles H. (1916). Singers and Their Songs. Chicago: The Rodeheaver Company.… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Willie brought his little Bible
Title: Papa, are You Ready?
Author: Eben E. Rexford
Language: English
Refrain First Line: Are you ready for His coming
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Media

The Cyber Hymnal #11854
  • PDF (PDF)
  • Noteworthy Composer Score (NWC)

Instances

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The Cyber Hymnal #11854

Include 3 pre-1979 instances
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